There’s one memory I’m sure all my brothers share and that’s all of us playing in the meadows of Stormy Creek. Ma did a painting of us. Massimo has it at home. We thought he was the best person to keep it but I kept the memory in my heart.
I remember because those were the days when we just had each other. life was hard. I remember life being so hard but having each other was all we needed. It was a life lesson of what we’d need as time went by.
Another hour drifts by, then another and I find I actually can’t calm my mind, not when I don’t know what’s happening.
I straighten up when the surgeon comes into the room. He’s closest to Massimo so he sees him too. Dominic next.
We all snap to attention and rush over to him.
“How is she?” Massimo asks first speaking the words tumbling around in our minds.
“She’s stable,” the surgeon answers. “We managed to get the bullet out and there doesn’t seem to be any grave damage we can’t work on, but since she was out for a while before her heart started beating we don’t know when she’ll wake up. That kind of trauma can impact the brain a lot.”
“She’s in a coma?” I ask.
“Yeah. I can’t say when she’ll pull out of it. We finished surgery an hour ago and we’ve been monitoring her. She could wake up soon, or it could be tomorrow or next week, or next month, or…well we have no idea. Her vitals are strong so we have hope, it’s just on her now.”
“Thank you. Thank you for saving her.”
“You’re welcome. I suggest you all go home and get some rest. You won’t be allowed to see her for another few hours anyway while she’s in the recovery suite. I can call you to let you know if there are any changes.”
“Call me. I’ve got my name down as her next of kin,” Massimo says.
“Okay, I’ll do that,” the doctor says and leaves us.
“You guys go home,” Massimo says looking to each of us. “I’m gonna stay but hang out in my car.”
“I’m staying, I’m sorry I know you just gave me an order but I can’t leave,” Dominic says. A tear drifts down his cheek and he walks away not waiting for Massimo’s answer.
Massimo’s face softens as he watches him walk back over to where he was previously sitting.
“I’ll take Isabella home and come back,” I say.
“I’d prefer to stay,” Isabella cuts in. “I want to stay if that’s okay.”
She looks exhausted, like she can barely keep her eyes open. I’m touched she wants to stay but I think she should go back to the house and sleep.
“It is okay but you need to sleep. I’ll take you back and I’ll call home to make sure you have any updates,” I answer. “Okay?”
“Alright.”
I put out my hand to take hers and she takes it.
As we walk out I notice Massimo doesn’t go to his car like he said he would, he goes over to sit opposite Dominic.
I give him credit because I don’t know if I could do the same, or when this rage will leave me.
Dominic was on drugs. I still can’t believe it. I still can’t.
Isabella and I drive back in silence. She falls asleep for a little while on the way back but wakes up before we reach. When we get out of the car and walk into the house it feels strange. There’s a hollow feel to the place I can’t ignore.
We’re on the other side, far from the living room where Candace was shot, but that hollowness is so thick it surrounds the house.
I take Isabella up to her room. As I’m about to leave her I realize this should be goodbye again. This should be it.
We walk in and she turns to face me with huge sad eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she says. “I feel like my presence was what got him so worked up. he was really upset and it’s understandable.”